DISCOVER NORTHERN CALIFORNIA'S
GUEST ARTICLE:
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK: TAFT POINT AND BEYOND

We've heard from author Kristopher Corey on the subject of
Yosemite National Park before. He's contributed several great stories via our Yosemite Adventures pages; stories like Don't Feed the Bears!, Hiking with Yosemite Bears; and Yosemite's Secrets - Off the Beaten Path Adventures!.

This time - having tremendously enjoyed his previous stories - I prevailed upon Kris to submit a full-on guest article. I know you'll enjoy it as much as I have!

To find Yosemite area hotels, compare prices, and book your room(s) - all in one place - go to HotelsCombined:

Approach to Taft Point: © Kristopher Corey

Need a hotel in the Yosemite area? Try HotelsCombined to see what's available and to get the best pricing:

View of Yosemite Valley: © Kristopher Corey

Looking down on Yosemite Valley from this 7508 foot elevation will make you dizzy if you're prone to vertigo, so stay away from the edges. There are parts of the cliff that extend out so far that you can't see the bottom!

View of El Capitan: © Kristopher Corey

The view across the one mile plus distance of space at the magnificence of El Capitan and Yosemite Falls is truly awesome!

The mosses and lichen that live on these huge, exposed rock fissures paint the earth with colors. Shades of brown, green, and orange set against the gray granite are highlighted with clumps of wildflowers growing on the small ledges. Bright Pink Penstemon and flaming orange Paintbrush surrounded by small yellow flowers are simply gorgeous.

Rock Fissures at Taft Point: © Kristopher Corey

If you continue to follow the trail past Taft Point you enter a mixed forest and perhaps notice some diamond shapes cut into some of the older growth trees about 5 feet up the trunk. These scars are trail markers made by the U.S. Calvary over 100 years ago.

The forest is open in some areas and a little fire deprived in others.
The trail leads downhill through mini meadows with kelly green Brachen Fern and orange/yellow Columbine.

This is primarily a Red Fir forest, small boulders add texture and contrast to the scene and blue forget-me-knots blooming in clumps are only part of this classic Yosemite beauty.

The trees change to Lodgepole pines as you near Bridalveil Creek
where 3 inch tall purple Lupine carpets the forest floor.

A sturdy bridge crosses this beautiful creek and on the far side there is a very cute campsite with benches around a fire pit that makes a great picnic spot.

Purple Bush Lupine line the trail as it continues up the hillside a short distance before intersecting with another trail to the Glacier Point Road via McGurk Meadow.

I would like to thank Kris for sharing his knowledge and expertise about Yosemite with us! Be sure to follow him at Yosemite Audio Adventures for more exciting articles and pictures about Yosemite National Park, and to learn more about his fantastic narrated audio tours!

Would you like to contribute a guest article to share with our readers? Just go to Discover Northern California's Guest Articles and fill out the super easy form. You, too, can have a story published!

If you'd like to compare prices before booking your own adventure
in the Yosemite area, take a look at HotelsCombined!

In the meantime, here are some more guest articles for you to enjoy:

Please continue your exploration of what Northern California has to offer by using the Nav Bar at the left, by using the links at the bottom of the page, or by using the customized search box below to find the specific topic that interests you.

Like what you're finding here at DiscoverNorthernCalifornia.com? Then please share with your Social Network (see the buttons in the NavBar to the left, or at the bottom of the page).

For more pictures of Northern California and other great stuff, check out my facebook page, www.DiscoverNorthernCalifornia.com. Become a fan, write on my Wall, contribute to the Discussion Board, post a Review -- join in the fun!

New! Comments